With the Tianlin Demon Sword in hand, Tianlin's aura surged dramatically, almost rivaling Gu Ran, who possessed two spirit rings.
"You… what did you say your level is?" Gu Ran asked, dumbfounded.
"Fifteenth level, Soul Master with one ring!" Tianlin held up a finger, emphasizing once more.
This revelation left not only Gu Ran but everyone else utterly stunned. They all knew that Tianlin had only recently obtained his first soul ring. Yet, in just half a month, he had already reached level fifteen.
It was true that absorbing a soul ring could boost one's soul power, but typically, it would only rise to around level eleven. Gu Ran's first soul ring, obtained from a 350-year-old soul beast, had raised him to level twelve and a half—a feat that had already earned him the title of genius from Gu Rong. Yet, compared to the monster before them now, the difference was astronomical.
"A true prodigy. But soul power alone is meaningless. Let me teach you how to fight," Gu Ran scoffed, assuming Tianlin's high soul power came with zero combat experience, and therefore dismissing him as a threat.
"Beast Possession! First Spirit Ability: Bone Spikes!"
Gu Ran's first spirit ability unleashed countless sharp bone spikes. The attack covered a wide area and was notably powerful for a first spirit ability.
"Sword Art of Mount Shu, Third Form: Misty Rain on the Xiaoxiang River!" Tianlin smiled faintly as he swung his sword.
This was a defensive move from the beginner sword techniques of Mount Shu. As his blade moved, it seemed to form a watery screen in front of him, blocking all the bone spikes with ease.
"Sixth Form: Moonlight Reflects on the Cold River!"
Tianlin followed up with a piercing thrust, his movement mimicking moonlight shimmering across a lake—graceful and breathtakingly beautiful.
"What stunning swordsmanship," Ning Rongrong whispered, momentarily entranced. As a young girl, she naturally admired anything beautiful. But she quickly shook her head. "What am I thinking? He's a bad guy! So what if his swordsmanship is beautiful? I won't be fooled!"
"Damn it! Second Spirit Ability: Skeletal Reinforcement!" Realizing his first ability was ineffective, Gu Ran resorted to his most powerful technique.
This ability enhanced his entire body, with the greatest boost to his legs, as his skeletal horse spirit—despite being made of bones—still shared similarities with a regular horse. His second ability increased the strength of his legs by 30%, and other parts of his body by 20%, making it his strongest trump card.
Sword and leg clashed mid-air. Tianlin was forced back seven steps, while Gu Ran only retreated three.
Although Tianlin's swordsmanship was exquisite, he only had one soul ring, and there was an unavoidable gap in pure power compared to Gu Ran, who had two rings.
Unbeknownst to Tianlin, Gu Ran was even more shocked. His trump card had failed to injure Tianlin, only pushing him back a few steps. Was this one-ring Soul Master overly powerful?
"Hey! What are you all waiting for? Get in here and help!" Ning Rongrong shouted, realizing Gu Ran couldn't handle Tianlin alone.
The other three exchanged helpless glances. Truthfully, they didn't want to gang up on a younger opponent, especially when it involved outnumbering him. But they couldn't disobey the young miss's orders.
Reluctantly, the three stepped forward, introducing themselves.
"Xu Ting, Martial Soul: Flying Swallow, level 18 Agility-type Soul Master."
"Jiang Hao, Martial Soul: Blade, level 18 Power-type Soul Master."
"Chen Tao, Martial Soul: Chain, level 19 Control-type Soul Master."
The three—two boys and one girl—were around ten or eleven years old, each possessing soul power close to level 20.
Shrek Academy's entrance requirement was to reach level 21 before the age of 12. These three were likely to meet that standard. While not as dazzlingly talented as the original Shrek Seven Devils, who had all surpassed level 25 by this age, achieving level 22 or 23 was still remarkable. They were undoubtedly exceptional talents, nurtured by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan.
"You all can come at me together. First Spirit Ability: Frozen Snow!" Tianlin ran a finger along the edge of his sword, which immediately emitted an intense chill, lowering the surrounding temperature.
"Fluttering Butterfly Dance!"
This was a movement technique from Shu Mountain Treasure Record's beginner swordsmanship, combining footwork and swordplay. Tianlin's movements and attack angles became unpredictable, allowing him to weave through a multi-opponent battlefield.
"First Spirit Ability: Ox-Cleaving Slash!" Jiang Hao charged in with a heavy blade strike. Unfortunately, against Tianlin's elusive movements, his attacks were repeatedly missed.
Xu Ting, hovering in mid-air, had the clearest view of Tianlin's strange footwork. "Chen Tao, use your chains to tie him up! We can't catch him otherwise!"
Chen Tao nodded. "Got it! First Spirit Ability: Binding Chains!"
"Third Form: Misty Rain on the Xiaoxiang River!" Tianlin used the defensive move again, deflecting all the chains. Moreover, due to the frost from Frozen Snow, the tips of the chains were completely frozen.
"Damn it! He's too strong—attack together!" The four decided to strike simultaneously.
Faced with the full-frontal assault, Tianlin shouted, "Good timing! Frozen Snow: Seal!"
Using the secondary effect of Frozen Snow, a wave of intense chill erupted from his sword, instantly freezing all four opponents in place.
"How is this possible? Four against one, and all of them have higher soul power than him, yet they still lost?" Ning Rongrong muttered, unable to believe her eyes.
At that moment, Tianlin turned toward her with a mischievous grin. Alarmed, she stammered, "W-What do you want? I'm warning you, if you dare hit me, you'll regret it! Let them go now, and I'll pretend this never happened!"
Though her words were tough, her trembling voice lacked any real intimidation.
"Don't worry. They're fine. I didn't use my full strength. By sunrise, the ice will melt, and they'll be free. This is just a minor punishment. As Soul Masters, they won't get sick from something like this," Tianlin said with a playful smile. Then, turning to Ning Rongrong, he added, "As for you, I have a different punishment in mind."
"Hmph! Smiling fox! I'm not playing with you anymore!" Sensing danger, Ning Rongrong tried to flee.
But Tianlin swiftly caught up and grabbed her, tucking her under his arm like a sack of potatoes.
"You're way too naughty. I have no choice but to discipline you!" Tianlin declared, raising his hand.
Ning Rongrong panicked. "Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing? You're not going to spank me, are you? I'm telling you, men and women shouldn't touch each other! This is harassment!"
Tianlin paused and lowered his hand. "Impressive, young miss. You already know about propriety at such a young age. You're right—I shouldn't harass you."
Ning Rongrong sighed in relief, thinking she'd been spared. But before she could demand to be let go, Tianlin summoned his sword, its blade glowing blue.
"Wait… You're not going to use that sword to hit me, are you? Stop! That could kill someone!"
"Don't worry. I'll just use the flat side," Tianlin replied with a grin.
"That's not any better!" Ning Rongrong struggled, but her strength was no match for Tianlin's. She could only watch helplessly as the flat side of the sword landed on her backside.
Smack!
"The first strike is for your naughtiness."
Smack!
"The second is for your stubbornness."
Smack!
"The third is for the fruit I lost because of you."
Smack!
"And the fourth… because I'm enjoying this!"
Tianlin grew more enthusiastic with each strike, savoring the rare opportunity to bully the pampered princess.
"Ahhh! Stop! It hurts! I'm sorry! Just use your hand instead—forget about propriety! That sword is too painful!" Ning Rongrong pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
But Tianlin was having too much fun to stop.
Thus, in the quiet of the forest, six-year-old Ning Rongrong experienced the most humiliating moment of her life.